AC Milan made the bold call to change head coach after the final game of 2023, going from Paulo Fonseca to his compatriot Sergio Conceicao.
Fonseca was the man entrusted to take over from Stefano Pioli who spent nearly five years at the club. He was sacked after just 24 games across all competitions, with the Champions League places getting further away.
Conceicao arrived, won the Supercoppa Italiana in his second game in charge and was then backed with an ambitious winter transfer window. Five new signings arrived to try and propel the top four push, and instead the Rossoneri sit in ninth position.
The problem, as the numbers below demonstrate, is that there has been a decline across the board, at least in the league. Admittedly, Conceicao was averaging two points per game after the 1-0 win over Verona last month, but three consecutive 2-1 defeats have seen the season collapse.
Milan under Fonseca (Serie A):
➤ Games: 17
➤ Avg. points per game: 1.59
➤ Avg. goals scored: 1.5
➤ Avg. goals conceded: 1
Milan under Conceicao (Serie A):
➤ Games: 10
➤ Avg. points per game: 1.40
➤ Avg. goals scored: 1.3
➤ Avg. goals conceded: 1.3
In addition to the numbers, it seems that Conceicao’s hardline approach with the squad has created a more difficult and tense atmosphere. That being said, the general climate of protest around the club is not helping, and the feeling is that Milan are at risk of a continued vertical collapse.
